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Abstract:

An information sharing support system includes a first information
processor connected to a projector that projects an image on a projection
area including an object, and to an image pick-up device for picking up
an image of the projection area; an inputting unit that inputs an event
in a first layer, inputs a second annotation image as a part of a first
annotation image associated with the event to a second layer, inputs a
third annotation image to a third layer, and inputs a document to a
fourth layer; a transmitter that transmits the second annotation image to
the projector device; a receiving unit that receives a picked-up image;
and a second information processing device that allocates the picked-up
image to the second layer, and includes a display that displays the third
annotation image and the document in an overlapping fashion.

Claims:

1. An information processing device comprising: a display; an operating
unit that inputs an annotation; a controller that is configured to:
receive an image of a projection area including a real object; display a
document image layer, a stroke drawing layer, a real view window
comprising the image of projection area including the real object, and an
annotation receiving window on the display, the annotation receiving
window spanning the entire display; receive an annotation of the real
object through the operation unit; determine whether the annotation is
included within the real view window based on coordinate information of
the annotation; and for a portion of the annotation that is determined
not to be within the real view window, adding the portion to the stroke
drawing layer, and for a portion of the annotation that is determined to
be within the real view window, transmitting coordinate information of
the portion of the annotation that is in the real view window, receiving
an updated image of the real object that includes the portion of the
annotation, and updating the display of the real view window to include
the updated image.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the
projection area and real object are located remotely from the information
processing device.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the
controller controls to overlap the document image layer, the stroke
drawing layer, the real view window on the display.

[0003] The present invention relates to an information sharing support
system, an information processing device, a computer readable recording
medium, and a computer controlling method.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] There have been known techniques for an information sharing support
system that collectively manages electronic information as to actual
objects such as a photo image of an object and a document.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an
information sharing support system that includes: a first information
processing device that is connected to a projector device for projecting
an image on a projection area including an object therein, and to an
image pick-up device for picking up an image of the projection area
including the object, with the projected image being projected on the
projection area; an inputting unit that inputs an event in a first layer,
inputs a second annotation image that is a part of a first annotation
image associated with the event to a second layer, inputs a third
annotation image that is the remaining part of the first annotation image
to a third layer, and inputs a document to a fourth layer; a transmitting
unit that transmits the second annotation image to the projector device;
a receiving unit that receives a picked-up image of the projection area
from the image pick-up device, the picked-up image including the second
annotation image projected on the projection area by the projector
device; and a second information processing device that allocates the
picked-up image received by the receiving unit to the second layer, and
includes a display that displays the third annotation image of the third
layer and the document of the fourth layer in an overlapping fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in
detail based on the following figures, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an information
sharing support system in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 shows the functional structures of PCs 1 through 4;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of a PC 3;

[0011] FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of data to be displayed in
the display area of a display;

[0012] FIG. 5 shows an example of data that is actually displayed in the
display area of the display;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedures for generating data to
be displayed in the display area of the display;

[0014]FIG. 7 shows an example of data that is displayed in the display
area of a display in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedures for projecting a
partial image in a document area onto a table including an object by a
projector device;

[0016] FIG. 9A is an example case where a partial image is projected so as
not to overlap with the object;

[0017] FIG. 9B is an example case where a partial image is projected so as
to overlap with the object;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a modification of the operation of
FIG. 8;

[0019] FIG. 11A is an example case where a partial image is projected so
as to overlap with the object through a control operation performed to
lay the partial image on the corresponding portion of a picked-up image;

[0020] FIG. 11B is an example case where a partial image connected to the
corresponding portion of the object with an annotation is projected
through a control operation performed to connect the partial image to the
corresponding portion of the picked-up image;

[0021]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedures for generating data
to be displayed in the display area of a display in accordance with a
third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 13 shows an example of the display area after calibration is
performed;

[0023] FIG. 14A shows the positional relationship between a drawing of the
operation panel of a copying machine and the real view window before
movement;

[0024] FIG. 14B shows the positional relationship between the drawing of
the operation panel of the copying machine and the real view window after
the movement;

[0025] FIG. 15 shows an example case where the real view window is
displayed on the same level as the drawing of the operation panel of the
copying machine; and

[0026]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedures for generating data
to be displayed in the display area of a display in accordance with a
fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following is a description of exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an information
sharing support system in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention.

[0029] An information sharing support system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes
a remote instruction system 150 and an electronic information sharing
system 151 that are connected to each other via a network 5.

[0030] The remote instruction system 150 includes a personal computer (PC)
1 (a first information processing apparatus, an external device) that
functions as a server, and a PC 2 that functions as a client. The PC 1
and the PC 2 are connected to each other via the network 5. A projector
10 (a projector device) and a video camera 11 (an image pick-up device)
are connected to the PC 1. In accordance with a control command from the
PC 1, the projector 10 emits light beams or projects an annotation image
or the like onto an object placed on a table 15 via a half mirror 12. The
video camera 11 picks up the reflection image of the table 15 including
an object 14 via the half mirror 12, and then outputs the picked-up image
to the PC 1.

[0031] The PC 1 outputs the picked-up image to the PC 2 and to the
electronic information sharing system 151 via the network 5. The PC 2 is
connected to a display 205 that displays a display area 210 and a user
interface (UI) 16. The PC 2 may be formed with a personal computer
integrated with the display 205.

[0032] The UI 16 includes a pen button, a text button, an erase button,
and the likes, and shows the types of line. In the display area 210, the
image picked up by the video camera 11 is displayed. In FIG. 1, an image
of the table 15 including the object 14 seen from the above is displayed
in the display area 210. When the pen button on the UI 16 is pressed to
display a drawing or the like on the object 14 in the display area 210,
the information as to the drawing is output from the PC 2 to the
projector 10 via the PC 1. Based on the information as to the drawing,
the projector 10 draws a drawing on the object 14.

[0033] When a portion of the object 14 displayed in the display area 210
is selected, or a portion of the overall view of the object 14 is
selected, a controller 201 (described later) of the PC 2 automatically
creates at least one partially enlarged view of the object 1, and links
the selected portion of the entire object 14 to the partially enlarged
view with an annotation. The PC 2 transmits the information as the
overall view linked to the partially enlarged view linked with an
annotation to the projector 10, so that the overall view, the partially
enlarged view, and the annotation connecting the two can be projected on
the table 15.

[0034] The PC 2 outputs a control command to the PC 1, so as to control
operations of the projector 10 and the video camera 11 (to control the
image pick-up angle of the video camera 11 or the luminance of the
projector 10, for example).

[0035] The electronic information sharing system 151 includes a PC 3 (a
second information processing device) and a PC 4 that are connected to
each other via the network 5. The PC 3 is connected to a display 305. A
display area 310 of the display 305 includes a real view window 311 that
displays all or a part of the image picked up by the video camera 11, and
a document area 312 that displays characters, a drawing, or a sill image.
The PC 3 receives the image picked up by the video camera 11 from the PC
1, and outputs the image to the real view window 311 of the display 305.
The PC 4 is connected to a display 405. A display area 410 of the display
405 includes a real view window 411 that displays all or a part of the
image picked up by the video camera 11, and a document area 412 that
displays characters, a drawing, or a sill image. The PC 4 receives the
image picked up by the video camera 11 from the PC 1, and outputs the
image to the real view window 411 of the display 405. The real view
windows 311 and 411 function as the layers forming data to be displayed
in the display areas 310 and 410, as described later.

[0036] The PC 3 and the PC 4 share information with each other, and can
simultaneously display the same information on the respective displays.

[0037] The PC 3 and the PC 4 may also be formed with personal computers
integrated with the displays 305 and 405, respectively.

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates the functional structures of the PCs 1 through
4.

[0039] The PC 1 includes a controller 101 (an output unit) that controls
the operations of the projector 10 and the video camera 11 as well as the
entire device, a transmission/reception unit 102 (an outputting unit)
that exchanges information and data with other PCs via the network 5, a
memory 104 that stores a control program and data and information, and an
input unit 105 that is formed with a barcode reader or a RFID tag reader.
The input unit 105 is used for reading a barcode attached to the object
14 or the identification information (such as an ID) as to the object 14
from a RFID tag. The controller 101 is connected to the projector 10, the
video camera 11, the transmission/reception unit 102, the memory 104, and
the input unit 105.

[0040] The PC 2 includes the controller 201 that controls the entire
device, a transmission/reception unit 202 that exchanges information and
data with other PCs via the network 5, an operating unit 203 that is
formed with a mouse and a keyboard and the likes, a memory 204 that
stores a control program and data and information, and the display 205.
The controller 201 is connected to the transmission/reception unit 202,
the operating unit 203, the memory 204, and the display 205.

[0042] The PCs 1 through 4 are connected to one another via the respective
transmission/reception units and the network 5.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the PC
3.

[0044] The PC 3 includes a CPU 21 that controls the entire device, a ROM
22 that stores the control program, a RAM 23 that functions as a work
area, a hard disk drive (HDD) 24 that stores various kinds of information
and programs, a mouse and keyboard 25, a network interface 26 that
connects with other computers, and a display 27 that is formed with a
liquid crystal monitor or a CRT. The CPU 21 is connected to the ROM 22,
the RAM 23, the hard disk drive (HDD) 24, the mouse and keyboard 25, the
network interface 26, and the display 27 via a system bus 28.

[0045] Since the PCs 2 and 4 each have the same structure as the PC 3,
explanation of them is omitted here. The PC 1 has the same structure as
the structure of the PC 3, except that the mouse and keyboard 25 and the
display 27 are excluded, and a barcode reader or a RFID reader is
included. However, the PC 1 may have the mouse and keyboard 25 and the
display 27.

[0046] The controller 301 is equivalent to the CPU 21 that performs
various operations according to the control program. The
transmission/reception unit 302 is equivalent to the network interface
26. The operating unit 303 is equivalent to the mouse and keyboard 25.
The memory 304 is equivalent to the hard disk drive (HDD) 24. The display
305 is equivalent to the display 27.

[0047] FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of data to be displayed in
the display area 310 of the display 305.

[0048] The controller 301 of the PC 3 obtains a picked-up image 30 picked
up by the video camera 11 from the PC 1 via the transmission/reception
unit 302 and the network 5. The controller 301 then displays a part of
the picked-up image 30 on the real view window 311 (a second layer)
functioning as a layer. The size and location (a location in the display
area 310) of the real view window 311 can be changed by operating the
operating unit 303 (such as a mouse). The information as to the location
of the image displayed on the real view window 311 in relation to the
picked-up image 30, and the information as to the size of the image
displayed on the real view window 311 are stored in the memory 304 by the
controller 301. More specifically, the coordinate information as to the
image displayed on the real view window 311, with the coordinate
information as to the picked-up image 30 being the reference, and the
information as to the image size determined by the coordinate information
are stored in the memory 304 by the controller 301. The controller 301
can also change the scale of the image displayed on the real view window
311.

[0049] The controller 301 combines an event receiving window 35 (a first
layer), a stroke drawing layer 36 (a third layer), the real view window
311, and a document image layer 37 (a fourth layer) with one another, so
as to produce the data to be displayed in the display area 310 of the
display 305. The controller 301 then outputs the data to the display 305.
Although the event receiving window 35, the stroke drawing layer 36, and
the document image layer 37 are normally designed to be transparent, the
layers may be colored by operating the operating unit 303.

[0050] When an event to write an annotation or a document through the
operating unit 303 occurs, the controller 301 inputs the event to the
event receiving window 35. The event receiving window 35 receives the
event. In FIG. 4, the event receiving window 35 receives the event of an
annotation 38 (a first annotation image).

[0051] The controller 301 inputs the portion of the annotation written
outside the range of the real view window 311, to the stroke drawing
layer 36 through the operating unit 303. The portion of the annotation
written outside the range of the real view window 311 is drawn on the
stroke drawing layer 36. In FIG. 4, an annotation 38a (a third annotation
image) that is a part of the annotation 38 and is written outside the
range of the real view window 311 is drawn on the stroke drawing layer
36.

[0052] The controller 301 inputs the portion of the annotation written
within the range of the real view window 311, to the real view window 311
through the operating unit 303. The portion of the annotation written
within the range of the real view window 311 is drawn on the real view
window 311, and a part of the picked-up image 30 is displayed on the real
view window 311. In FIG. 4, an annotation 38b (a second annotation image)
that is a part of the annotation 38 and is written within the range of
the real view window 311 is drawn on the real view window 311.

[0053] As the annotation 38b is drawn on the real view window 311, the
controller 301 transmits the coordinate information as to the location of
the annotation 38b in the picked-up image 30, to the PC 1. The PC 1 uses
the coordinate information and a control command to control the projector
10. The projector 10 projects the annotation 38b on the table 15
including the object 14. The controller 101 of the PC 1 converts the
coordinate information as to the location of the annotation 38b in the
picked-up image 30, into the coordinate information compatible with the
projection area of the projector 10. The controller 101 then transmits
the converted coordinate information as to the annotation 38 to the
projector 10. In this manner, the annotation 38b in the picked-up image
30 is projected in an accurate position by the projector 10.

[0054] Alternatively, the controller 301 of the PC 3 may convert the
coordinate information as to the location of the annotation 38b in the
picked-up image 30, into the coordinate information compatible with the
projection area of the projector 10. The controller 301 may then transmit
the converted coordinate information as to the annotation 38b to the
projector 10 via the PC 1.

[0055] The video camera 11 outputs a picked-up image of the table 15
including the object 14 onto which the annotation 38b is projected, to
the controller 301 of the PC 3 via the PC 1 and the network 5 in a
successive manner (every 0.5 seconds, for example). The controller 301
receives the picked-up image, and the annotation 38b is drawn on the real
view window 311.

[0056] The controller 301 inputs a document to the document image layer 37
via the operating unit 303. The written document is drawn on the document
image layer 37 via the operating unit 303.

[0057] As described above, the data to be displayed in the display area
310 of the display 305 has such a structure that the layers each capable
of designating an annotation range are laid on one another. Thus,
successive and transparent annotations are realized.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows an example of the data actually displayed in the
display area 310 of the display 305.

[0059] In FIG. 5, the design drawing of a complex machine, explanation of
operating buttons of the complex machine, and the annotation 38a that is
a part of the annotation 38 are shown in the document area 312. A
picked-up image of the complex machine is displayed as an actual
projection of the annotation 38b on the real view window 311.

[0060]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the steps to be performed for
creating the data to be displayed in the display area 310 of the display
305.

[0061] First, the controller 301 of the PC 3 performs an initialization
step (step S1). The initialization step includes the four procedures: (1)
displaying the document image layer 37 on the entire screen (or
displaying a document in the document area 312); (2) displaying the real
view window 311; (3) displaying the stroke drawing layer 36 on the entire
screen; and (4) displaying the event receiving window 35 on the entire
screen.

[0062] The controller 301 receives an event (an operation) through the
operating unit 303 (step S2). After the generation of the data starts,
the controller 301 constantly receives an instruction or an event (an
operation) such as writing through the operating unit 303 (step S3).

[0063] The controller 301 then determines whether the input of events
(operations) through the operating unit 303 has finished (step S4). If
the controller 301 determines that the input of events has finished
("YES" in step S4), the controller 301 ends the data generation. If the
controller 301 determines that the input of events has not finished ("NO"
in step S4), the controller 301 determines whether an annotation is
written within the range of the real view window 311 (step S5). In a case
where the coordinate information as to an annotation falls within the
range defined by the coordinate information as to the four corners of the
real view window 311, the controller 301 determines that the annotation
is written within the range of the real view window 311.

[0064] If the controller 301 determines that the annotation is not written
within the range of the real view window 311 ("NO" in step S5), the
controller 301 draws the annotation on the stroke drawing layer 36 (step
S6), and returns to step S2. In this manner, the stroke drawing layer 36
displays the annotation written outside the range of the real view window
311.

[0065] If the controller 301 determines that the annotation is written
within the range of the real view window ("YES" in step S5), the
controller 301 transmits the coordinate information as to the location of
the annotation in the picked-up image 30, to the PC 1 via the
transmission/reception unit 302 (step S7), and then returns to step S2.

[0066] Next, the steps to be performed by the PC 1, the projector 10, and
the video camera 11 are described.

[0067] First, the controller 101 of the PC 1 performs an initialization
step, and stores in the memory 104 the identification information (such
as the ID) as to the object 14 read by the input unit 105 (step S8).
Here, the initialization step includes the procedure for outputting a
control command to the projector 10 and the video camera 11, the
procedure for performing a projection by the projector 10, and the
procedure for outputting an image picked up by the video camera 11. The
procedures in step S8 are carried out independently of the procedures
carried out on the PC 3 side.

[0068] The controller 101 then receives the coordinate information as to
the location of the annotation in the picked-up image 30 from the PC 3
via the network 5 and the transmission/reception unit 102 (step S9).
After the generation of the data starts, the controller 101 constantly
receives an instruction or an event (an operation) such as writing from
the PC 2 (step S10).

[0069] The controller 101 then determines whether the input of the
coordinate information as to the location of the annotation in the
picked-up image 30 has finished (step S11).

[0070] If the controller 101 determines that the input of the coordinate
information has finished ("YES" in step S11), the controller 101 ends the
data generation. If the controller 101 determines that the input of the
coordinate information has not finished ("NO" in step S11), the
controller 101 converts the coordinate information into coordinate
information compatible with the projector 10. Using the converted
coordinate information and a control command, the controller 101 controls
the projector 10, so that the projector 10 projects an annotation
according to the converted coordinate information on the table 15
including the object 14 (step S12). The video camera 11 outputs a
picked-up image of the table 15 including the object 14 on which the
annotation is projected, to the controller 301 of the PC 3 via the PC 1,
the network 5, and the transmission/reception unit 302, while the
controller 101 outputs the identification information as to the object 14
stored in the memory 104, to the controller 301 of the PC 3 (step S13).

[0071] The controller 301 receives the picked-up image, and updates the
display on the real view window 311 (step S14). In this manner, an
annotation is displayed, together with the table 15 including the object
14, on the real view window 311. The display updating in step S14 is
performed in a successive manner. The controller 301 also obtains the
identification information as to the object 14 from the PC 1, and stores
the identification information in the memory 304 (step S15).

[0072] In this exemplary embodiment, the controller 301 may extract the
feature points of the document (including characters, a drawing, or a
sill image) written on the document image layer 37 and the picked-up
image on the real view window 311. The controller 301 may then perform
feature-point matching between the extracted feature points, and connect
matching feature points to each other with an annotation. The portion of
the annotation written outside the range of the real view window 311 is
drawn on the stroke drawing layer 36, and the portion of the annotation
written within the range of the real view window 311 is drawn on the real
view window 311 through the projecting operation of the projector 10 and
the image pick-up operation of the video camera 11 according to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 6.

[0073] With this arrangement, the user who views the display 305 of the PC
3 can readily grasp the correspondence in the relationship between the
actual object 14 displayed as an picked-up image and the subject
document.

[0074] When receiving a picked-up image from the video camera 11, the
controller 301 may obtain the attribute information as to the projector
10 and the video camera 11 from the PC 1, and store the attribute
information in the memory 304. The attribute information includes the
information as to the projecting position and the projection range of the
projector 10, and the information as to the image picking position and
the image pick-up range of the video camera 11.

[0075] When the controller 301 stores the data to be displayed in the
display area 310 of the display 305 in the memory 304, an annotation
(including coordinate information), a picked-up image within the real
view window 311, and the main information as to the subject document are
stored in the memory 304. At the same time, the attribute information
(the positional information and range information) as to the real view
window 311, the attribute information as to the document (including the
document ID, the subject page number(s), the display range of the
document, and the display position of the document), the attribute
information as to the object (the identification information (ID) as to
the object), and the attribute information as to the projector 10 and the
video camera 11 (including the information as to the projecting position
and the projection range of the projector 10, and the information as to
the image picking position and the image pick-up range of the video
camera 11) may be associated with the main information, and be stored in
the memory 304.

[0076] With this arrangement, the controller 301 can retrieve the data to
be displayed in the display area 310 of the display 305, based on the
attribute information such as the identification information as to the
object. The controller 301 can also perform a control operation so that
the data stored in the memory 304 can be displayed in the display area
310 of the display 305.

[0077] As described above, in accordance with this exemplary embodiment,
the controller 301 inputs the operation of drawing the annotation 38 to
the event receiving window 35 via the operating unit 303, inputs the
annotation 38b that is taken by the video camera 11 and is a part of the
annotation 38 to the real view window 311, inputs the annotation 38a that
is the remaining part of the annotation 38 to the stroke drawing layer
36, and inputs the subject document to the document image layer 37. The
controller 301 then transmits the annotation 38b to the projector 10 via
the transmission/reception unit 302, and receives a picked-up image of
the projection area in which the annotation 38b is projected by the
projector 10, from the video camera 11 via the transmission/reception
unit 302. The display 305 allocates the picked-up image received by the
controller 301 to the real view window 311, and displays the picked-up
image, the annotation 38a of the stroke drawing layer 36, and the
document of the document image layer 37 in an overlapping fashion.

[0078] Since the display 305 displays the real view window 311, the stroke
drawing layer 36, and the document image layer 37 in an overlapping
fashion, the annotation that connects the object and the document is
displayed in a continuous and transparent manner, and the user of the PC
3 can readily grasp the correspondence in the relationship between the
object and the document. Also, the continuous and transparent annotation
38 can be realized with the annotation 38b and the annotation 38a.

[0079] The controller 301 also transmits the coordinate information as to
the annotation 38b in the picked-up image 30 to the controller 101 of the
PC 1 via the transmission/reception unit 302. The controller 101 in turn
converts the coordinate information as to the annotation 38b into the
coordinate information compatible with the projection area of the
projector 10, and transmits the converted coordinate information to the
projector 10. Thus, the annotation 38b can be projected on an accurate
location in the projection area including the object 14.

[0080] The controller 301 further extracts the feature points of the
document drawn on the document image layer 37 and the picked-up image
displayed on the real view window 311. The controller 301 then performs
matching between the extracted feature points, and connects matching
feature points to each other with an annotation. Thus, the user who views
the display 305 of the PC 3 can readily grasp the correspondence in the
relationship between the actual objected displayed as a picked-up image
and the document.

[0081] The controller 301 further acquires the attribute information as to
the object 14 and the attribute information as to the projector 10 and
the video camera 11. The data to be displayed on the display 305, the
attribute information as to the real view window 311, the attribute
information as to the subject document, the attribute information as to
the object, and the attribute information as to the projector 10 and the
video camera 11 are associated with one another and are stored in the
memory 304. Based on at least one piece of attribute information among
the attribute information as to the real view window 311, the attribute
information as to the document, the attribute information as to the
object, and the attribute information as to the projector 10 and the
video camera 11, the controller 301 retrieves the data to be displayed on
the display 305. Thus, in accordance with the various kinds of attribute
information, the data to be displayed on the display 305 can be
retrieved.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

[0082] Next, a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
described, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0083] In this exemplary embodiment, a document (such as a drawing)
written in the document area 312 is dragged and dropped on the real view
window 311, so that the projector 10 projects the document on the table
15 including the object 14.

[0084] Since the information sharing support system of this exemplary
embodiment has the same structure as the above-described information
sharing support system 100, explanation of the structure of the
information sharing support system of this exemplary embodiment is
omitted here.

[0085]FIG. 7 shows an example of the data displayed in the display area
310 of the display 305. In this example, the object 14 is the operation
panel of a copying machine.

[0086] In FIG. 7, a view of a part of the operation panel of the copying
machine and explanation of the buttons of the copying machine are
displayed in the document area 312. A picked-up image of the operation
panel of the copying machine is displayed on the real view window 311.

[0087] In the example shown in FIG. 7, a user can select a partial image
315 of the document (a view of a part of the operation panel of the
copying machine) written in the document area 312 through the operating
unit 303, and can drag and drop the selected partial image 315 on the
real view window 311.

[0088] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedures for projecting a
partial image written in the document area 312 onto the table 15
including the object 14, using the projector 10.

[0089] First, the controller 301 receives an event from the operating unit
303 (step S101), and determines whether a designated region of a partial
image is in the document area 312 (step S102). If there is not a
designated region of a partial image in the document area 312 ("NO" in
step S102), the controller 301 determines whether the drag and drop for
drawing a rectangle to designate a partial image on the stroke drawing
layer 36 has finished (step S103). The shape of the region for
designating a partial image is not limited to a rectangular shape, but
may be a circular shape of an oval shape, for example.

[0090] If the controller 301 determines that the drag and drop has not
finished ("NO" in step S103), the controller 301 continues to draw the
rectangle to designate a partial image on the stroke drawing layer 36
(step S104), and returns to step S102. If the controller 301 determines
that the drag and drop has finished ("YES" in step S103), the controller
301 uses the document written on the document image layer 37
corresponding to the region selected with the rectangular, to produce a
partial image (step S105), and then returns to step S102.

[0091] If there is a designated region of a partial image in the document
area 312 ("YES" in step S102), the controller 301 determines whether the
drag and drop of a partial image on the real view window 311 has finished
(step S106). If the controller 301 determines that the drag and drop has
not finished ("NO" in step S106), or if a partial image is still being
dragged, the controller 301 displays a thumbnail of the partial image at
the location of a mouse cursor that is not shown in FIG. 7 (step S107),
and returns to step S102. If the controller 301 determines that the drag
and drop has finished ("YES" in step S106), the controller 301 transmits
the coordinate information as to the picked-up image 30 displayed on the
real view window 311 having the data of the partial image and the partial
image attached thereonto (or dropped thereon), to the PC 1 via the
transmission/reception unit 302 and the network 5 (step S108), and
returns to step S102.

[0092] Next, the steps to be performed by the PC 1, the projector 10, and
the video camera 11 are described.

[0093] First, the controller 101 of the PC 1 performs an initialization
step, and stores, in the memory 104, the identification information (such
as an ID) as to the object 14 read by the input unit 105 (step S109). The
procedures in the initialization step include outputting a control
command to the projector 10 and the video camera 11, performing a
projection by the projector 10, and outputting an image picked up by the
video camera 11. The procedures in step S109 are carried out
independently of the procedures to be carried out on the PC 3 side.

[0094] The controller 101 receives the coordinate information as to the
picked-up image 30 on the real view window 311 having the data of the
partial image and the partial image attached thereonto (or dropped
thereon), from the PC 3 via the network 5 and the transmission/reception
unit 102 (step S110). Once this operation starts, the controller 101
constantly receives an instruction or an event (an operation) such as
writing from the PC 2 (step S111).

[0095] The controller 101 then determines whether the input of the data of
the partial image and the coordinate information has finished (step
S112).

[0096] If the controller 101 determines that the input of the data of the
partial image and the coordinate information has finished ("YES" in step
S112), the controller 101 ends this operation. If the controller 101
determines that the input has not finished ("NO" in step S112), the
controller 101 converts the coordinate information as to the partial
image into the coordinate information compatible with the projector 10.
Using the converted information, the data of the partial image, and the
control command, the controller 101 controls the projector 10, so that
the projector 10 projects the partial image corresponding to the
converted coordinate information onto the table 15 including the object
14 (step S113). The video camera 11 outputs a picked-up image of the
table 15 including the object 14 having this partial image projected
thereon, to the controller 301 of the PC 3 via the network 5 and the
transmission/reception unit 302, while the controller 101 outputs the
identification information as to the object 14 stored in the memory 104,
to the controller 301 of the PC 3 (step S114).

[0097] The controller 301 receives this picked-up image, and updates the
display on the real view window 311 (step S115). In this manner, the
table 15 including the object 14 having the partial image projected
thereon is displayed on the real view window 311. The display updating
procedure in step S115 is carried out in a successive manner. The
controller 301 also obtains the identification information as to the
object 14 from the PC 1, and stores the identification information in the
memory 304 (step S116).

[0098] FIGS. 9A and 9B show examples of projections of the partial image
315 projected by the projector 10 onto the table 15 including the object
14 (the operation panel of a copying machine). FIG. 9A shows an example
case where the partial image 315 is projected so as not to overlap with
the object 14. FIG. 9B shows an example case where the partial image 315
is projected so as to overlap with the object 14.

[0099] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a modification of the operation
shown in FIG. 8. The same steps as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the
same reference numerals, and explanation of them is omitted here.

[0100] First, in response to an input from a user through the operating
unit 303, the controller 301 lays the partial image 315 on the
corresponding portion of the picked-up image displayed on the real view
window 311, or connects the partial image 315 (that is to be projected
onto the table 15 including the object 14 by the projector 10) attached
onto the real view window 311 to the corresponding portion of the
picked-up image displayed on the real view window 311 with an annotation
(step S120). After that, the controller 301 moves on to step S101.

[0101] If the result of the determination is "YES" in step S6, the
controller 301 extracts the feature points of the partial image 351
attached onto the real view window 311 and the picked-up image on the
real view window 311, and performs a matching operation between the
extracted feature points (step S121).

[0102] The controller 301 then determines whether the procedure carried
out in step S120 is the laying of the partial image 315 on the
corresponding portion of the picked-up image or the connecting of the
partial image 315 to the corresponding portion of the picked-up image
(step S122).

[0103] If the procedure carried out in step S120 is the laying of the
partial image 315 on the corresponding portion of the picked-up image,
the controller 301 corrects the attachment position of the partial image
315, so that the feature points associated with each other as a result of
the matching process overlap with each other. The controller 301 then
transmits the coordinate information as to the picked-up image 30 on the
real view window 311 onto which the data of the partial image and the
partial image having the attachment position corrected are attached, to
the PC 1 (step S123). After that, the controller 301 returns to step
S102.

[0104] If the procedure carried out in step S120 is the connecting of the
partial image 315 to the corresponding portion of the picked-up image,
the controller 301 transmits the data of the partial image, the
coordinate information that corresponds to the picked-up image 30 on the
real view window 311 and is selected arbitrarily from a region not
overlapping with the corresponding portion of the picked-up image
(preferably the coordinate information corresponding to an empty region
on the table 15), and the coordinate information as to the annotation
that connects the partial image 315 to the corresponding portion of the
picked-up image (the coordinate information as to the annotation that
connects at least one pair of matching feature points), to the PC 1 (step
S124). After that, the controller 301 returns to step S102.

[0105] If the procedure carried out in step S120 is the laying of the
partial image 315 on the corresponding portion of the picked-up image,
the same procedure as that in step S113 of FIG. 8 is carried out in step
S113.

[0106] If the procedure carried out in step S120 is the connecting of the
partial image 315 to the corresponding portion of the picked-up image,
the controller 101 in step S113 converts the arbitrarily selected
coordinate information into coordinate information compatible with the
projector 10. Using the converted coordinate information, the partial
image data, the coordinate information as to the annotation, and the
control command, the controller 101 controls the projector 10, so that
the projector 10 projects the partial image corresponding to the
converted coordinate information and the annotation onto the table 15
including the object 14.

[0107] FIGS. 11A and 11B show examples of projections of the partial image
315 projected by the projector 10 onto the table 15 including the object
14 (the operation panel of a copying machine). FIG. 11A shows an example
case where the partial image 315 is projected so as to overlap with the
object 14 through the procedure for laying the partial image 315 on the
corresponding portion of the picked-up image. FIG. 11B shows an example
case where the partial image 315 connected to the corresponding portion
of the picked-up image with an annotation is projected as a result of the
procedure carried out to connect the partial image 315 to the
corresponding portion of the picked-up image.

[0108] In this exemplary embodiment, upon receipt of a picked-up image
from the video camera 11, the controller 301 may obtain the attribute
information as to the projector 10 and the video camera 11 from the PC 1,
and store the attribute information in the memory 304. Here, the
attribute information includes the information as to the projecting
position and the projection range of the projector 10, and the
information as to the image picking position and the image pick-up range
of the video camera 11.

[0109] When the controller 301 stores the data to be displayed in the
display area 310 of the display 305 in the memory 304, a partial image
(including coordinate information), an annotation (including coordinate
information), a picked-up image within the real view window 311, and the
main information as to the subject document are stored in the memory 304.
At the same time, the attribute information (the positional information
and range information) as to the real view window 311, the attribute
information as to the document (including the document ID, the subject
page number(s), the display range of the document, and the display
position of the document), the attribute information as to the object
(the identification information (ID) as to the object), and the attribute
information as to the projector 10 and the video camera 11 (including the
information as to the projecting position and the projection range of the
projector 10, and the information as to the image picking position and
the image pick-up range of the video camera 11) may be associated with
the main information, and be stored in the memory 304.

[0110] With this arrangement, the controller 301 can retrieve the data to
be displayed in the display area 310 of the display 305, based on the
attribute information such as the identification information as to the
object. The controller 301 can also perform a control operation so that
the data stored in the memory 304 can be displayed in the display area
310 of the display 305.

[0111] As described above, in accordance with this exemplary embodiment,
the controller 301 inputs the operation of drawing the annotation 38 to
the event receiving window 35 via the operating unit 303, inputs the
annotation 38b that is taken by the video camera 11 and is a part of the
annotation 38 to the real view window 311, inputs the annotation 38a that
is the remaining part of the annotation 38 to the stroke drawing layer
36, and inputs the subject document to the document image layer 37. The
controller 301 selects a part of the document as a partial image, and
attaches the partial image to the real view window 311. The controller
301 then transmits the partial image and the coordinate information as to
the partial image to the projector 10 via the transmission/reception unit
302. Based on the coordinate information as to the partial image, the
projector 10 projects a partial image on the projection area including
the object 14.

[0112] Accordingly, a user near the projection area can view the partial
image, and recognize the correspondence in the relationship between the
object 14 and the document. Particularly, in a case where the partial
image is attached to the real view window 311 so as to overlap with the
object 14, the user in the vicinity of the projection area can recognize
the difference between the partial image and the object 14. Meanwhile,
the user of the PC 3 views the picked-up image displayed on the real view
window 311, and can determine the point on which the partial image (a
part of the document) is to be projected, while taking into consideration
the position and the likes of the object 14.

[0113] Here, the partial image may not be a picture image or the like that
can be visually rendered, but may be multimedia information such as audio
or video information.

[0114] The controller 301 also receives a picked-up image of the
projection area on which the partial image is projected by the projector
10, from the video camera 11 via the transmission/reception unit 302. The
display 305 allocates the picked-up image received by the controller 301
to the real view window 311, and displays the picked-up image, the
annotation 38a of the stroke drawing layer 36, and the document of the
document image layer 37 in an overlapping fashion. Accordingly, the user
of the PC 3 can check how the partial image is projected on the
projection area including the object 14.

[0115] The controller 301 extracts the feature points of the partial image
and the picked-up image displayed on the real view window 311. The
controller 301 then performs matching between the extracted feature
points, and corrects the position of the partial image so that the
matching feature points can overlap with each other. In this manner, the
partial image can be laid on the corresponding portion of the picked-up
image with high precision. As a result, the user on the side of the
projection area can view the partial image and the object 14 in an
overlapping fashion, and can readily recognize the difference between the
partial image and the object 14.

[0116] The controller 301 also extracts the feature points of the partial
image and the picked-up image displayed on the real view window 311. The
controller 301 performs matching between the extracted feature points,
and connects matching feature points to each other with an annotation.
The controller 301 then transmits the partial image, the coordinate
information as to the partial image, and the coordinate information as to
the annotation, to the projector 10 via the transmission/reception unit
302. Based on the coordinate information as to the partial image and the
annotation, the projector 10 projects the partial image and the
annotation on the projection area including the object 14. Accordingly,
the user on the side of the projection area can readily grasp the
correspondence in the relationship between the actual object and the
document. Here, the matching may not be performed by the above-described
method of this exemplary embodiment, but may be performed by a known
matching method such as the SIFT method.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

[0117] Next, a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0118] In this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to put the real view
window 311 into a visible or invisible state. With the use of the
information written in the display area 210 of the display 205 or the pen
of the UI 16 of the PC 2, the information written on the object 14 or the
table 15 is directly reflected on the stroke drawing layer 36 of the PC
3.

[0119] Since the information sharing support system of this exemplary
embodiment has the same structure as the above-described information
sharing support system 100, explanation of the structure of the
information sharing support system of this exemplary embodiment is
omitted here.

[0120]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the steps to be performed for
creating the data to be displayed in the display area 310 of the display
305.

[0121] First, the controller 301 of the PC 3 performs an initialization
step (step S201). The initialization step includes the four procedures:
(1) displaying the document image layer 37 on the entire screen (or
displaying the subject document in the document area 312); (2) displaying
the real view window 311; (3) displaying the stroke drawing layer 36 on
the entire screen; and (4) displaying the event receiving window 35 on
the entire screen.

[0122] The controller 301 then performs calibration of the real view
window 311 (step S202). Here, to perform calibration of the real view
window 311 is to uniform the scale of the data displayed on the real view
window 311 and the scale of the document (such as a drawing) written in
the document area 312, and to place the real view window 311 at the
corresponding location on the document (such as a drawing) written in the
document area 312. With this arrangement, the data displayed on the real
view window 311 can have continuity with the document (such as a drawing)
written in the document area 312.

[0123] After the calibration is performed, the image pick-up area of the
table 15 including the object 14 becomes equal to the display area 310 in
size.

[0124] FIG. 13 shows an example of the display area 310 after the
calibration. In this example, a view of the operation panel of a copying
machine is written in the document area 312, and the real view window 311
is placed in a position overlapping with a display 500 of the copying
machine.

[0125] In this case, the object 14 is the actual operation panel of the
copying machine or a design drawing of the operation panel. An image of
the object 14 picked up by the video camera 11 is displayed on the real
view window 311 on the same scale as the drawing of the operation panel
of the copying machine written in the document area 312. As shown in FIG.
13, when a rectangular annotation is drawn along the outer periphery of
the display 500 of the copying machine through the operating unit 303, an
annotation 501 is drawn on the stroke drawing layer 36, and an annotation
502 is displayed on the real view window 311.

[0126] FIG. 14A shows the positional relationship between the drawing of
the operation panel of the copying machine and the real view window 311
before movement. FIG. 14B shows the positional relationship between the
drawing of the operation panel of the copying machine and the real view
window 311 after movement.

[0127] The controller 301 performs calibration of the real view window
311, and the drawing of the operation panel of the copying machine and
the data within the real view window 311 are displayed on the same
scales. Accordingly, when the real view window 311 is moved as shown in
FIGS. 14A and 14B, the controller 301 changes the coordinate information
as to the real view window 311 in the picked-up image 30, depending on
the distance the real view window 311 has been moved.

[0128] For example, in a (x, y) coordinate system, the region of the
picked-up image 30 is represented by (0, 0), (800, 0), (0, 640), and
(800, 640). The coordinate information as to the real view window 311
before movement is (400, 200), (500, 200), (400, 400), and (500, 400).
When the real view window 311 is moved by 100 in the x-direction, the
controller 301 changes the coordinate information as to the real view
window 311 to (500, 200), (600, 200), (500, 400), and (600, 400) after
the movement. Accordingly, an image picked up at the destination point is
displayed on the real view window 311.

[0129] Referring back to FIG. 12, the controller 301 receives an input of
an event (an operation) through the operating unit 303 (step S203). After
the generation of the data starts, the controller 301 constantly receives
an instruction to put the real view window 311 into a visible or
invisible state, and an event (an operation) such as writing (step S204).

[0130] The controller 301 determines whether an instruction to put the
real view window 311 into a visible or invisible state has been input
through the operating unit 303 (step S205).

[0131] If the controller 301 determines in step S205 that an instruction
to put the real view window 311 into a visible state has been input
through the operating unit 303, the controller 301 moves on to step S207.
If the controller 301 determines in step S205 that an instruction to put
the real view window 311 into an invisible state has been input through
the operating unit 303, the controller 301 deletes the image displayed on
the real view window (step S206), and moves on to step S207. More
specifically, the controller 301 puts the layer of the real view window
311 into a non-display state.

[0132] In step S207, the controller 301 determines whether an annotation
has been written within the range of the real view window 311. More
specifically, the controller 301 determines that an annotation has been
written in the range of the real view window 311, if the coordinate
information as to the annotation is within a region defined by the
coordinate information as to the four corners of the real view window
311.

[0133] If the result of the determination in step S207 is "NO", the
controller 301 draws an annotation on the stroke drawing layer 36 (step
S208), and returns to step S203. Accordingly the stroke drawing layer 36
displays an annotation that is written outside the real view window 311.

[0134] If the result of the determination in step S207 is "YES", the
controller 301 transmits the coordinate information as to the annotation
written within the range of the real view window 311 with respect to the
picked-up image 30, to the PC 1 (step S209). After that, the controller
301 returns to step S203. If the real view window 311 is invisible, the
annotation written within the range of the real view window 311 is also
drawn on the stroke drawing layer 36 in step S209.

[0135] Next, the steps to be performed by the PC 1, the projector 10, and
the video camera 11 are described.

[0136] First, the controller 101 of the PC 1 performs an initialization
step, and stores in the memory 104 the identification information (such
as an ID) as to the object 14 read by the input unit 105 (step S210).
Here, the procedures in the initialization step include outputting a
control command to the projector 10 and the video camera 11, performing a
projection by the projector 10, and outputting an image picked up by the
video camera 11. The procedures in step S210 are carried out
independently of the procedures carried out on the PC 3 side.

[0137] The controller 101 then receives an input of the coordinate
information as to the annotation on the picked-up image 30, from the PC 3
via the network 5 and the transmission/reception unit 102 (step S211).
Once the generation of the data starts, the controller 101 constantly
receives an instruction or an event (an operation) such as writing from
the PC 2 (step S212).

[0138] The controller 101 then converts the coordinate information into
coordinate information compatible with the projector 10, and controls the
projector 10, using the converted coordinate information and the control
command. The projector 10 projects an annotation according to the
converted coordinate information on the table 15 including the object 14
(step S213). The video camera 11 picks up an image of the table 15
including the object 14 on which the annotation is projected, and outputs
the picked-up image to the controller 301 of the PC 3 via the PC 1, the
network 5, and the transmission/reception unit 302. The controller 101
outputs the identification information as to the object 14 stored in the
memory 104, to the controller 301 of the PC 3 (step S215).

[0139] The controller 301 receives the picked-up image, and updates the
display on the real view window 311 (step S219). Accordingly, the real
view window 311 displays the annotation, together with the table 15
including the object 14. The updating of the display in step S219 is
performed in a successive manner. The controller 301 also obtains the
identification information as to the object 14 from the PC 1, and stores
the identification information in the memory 304 (step S220).

[0140] The controller 101 stores the coordinate information as to the
annotation on the picked-up image in the memory 104 (step S214). The
coordinate information stored here is received in step S211. The
controller 101 also stores a picked-up image (a frame image) in the
memory 104 (step S216). The picked-up image stored here is output to the
controller 301 in step S215. The storing of the coordinate information as
to the annotation in step S214 and the storing of the picked-up image in
step S216 are carried out at regular intervals (every 0.5 seconds, for
example).

[0141] The controller 101 then extracts the difference between the
consecutive picked-up images stored in the memory 104 (step S217). Based
on the coordinate information as to the annotation corresponding to the
consecutive picked-up images, the controller 101 removes the annotation
from the difference extraction result (step S218). By carrying out the
procedures of steps S214 through S218, the write information written
directly on the object 14 or the table 15 can be extracted as an
annotation, with the use of the write information written in the display
area 210 of the display 205 or the pen of the UI 16 of the PC 2.

[0142] Lastly, the controller 101 outputs the information obtained by
removing the annotation in step S218 (the write information as the
annotation that is written directly on the object 14 or the table 15 with
the use of the write information written in the display area 210 of the
display 205 or the pen of the UI 16 of the PC 2), to the controller 301
via the transmission/reception unit 102, the network 5, and the
transmission/reception unit 302 (step S218→step S208).

[0143] Using the write information written in the display area 210 of the
display 205 or the pen of the UI 16 of the PC 2, the controller 301 draws
the write information, which is written directly on the object 14 or the
table 15, on the stroke drawing layer (step S208).

[0144] As described above, the controller 301 performs calibration. With
the size of the image pick-up area of the table 15 including the object
14 (the image pick-up area of a picked-up image) being the same as the
size of the display area 310, the controller 101 extracts write
information, and the controller 301 draws the write information on the
stroke drawing layer 36. Thus, the write information can be reflected at
the corresponding portion of the display area 310.

[0145] In the display area 310 after the calibration as shown in FIG. 13,
the controller 301 may perform a setting operation so that the real view
window 311 is displayed on the same level as the drawing of the operation
panel of the copying machine written in the document area 312. FIG. 15
shows an example of the display area 310 after this setting. The dotted
lines in the real view window 311 indicate a part of a picked-up image of
the operation panel of the copying machine.

[0146] The controller 301 extracts the feature points of the drawing of
the operation panel of the copying machine in the document area 312 (the
document written on the document image layer 37) and the picked-up image
displayed on the real view window 311. The controller 301 then performs
matching between the extracted feature points, and connects matching
feature points to each other with an annotation.

[0147] Accordingly, the user who views the display 305 of the PC 3 can
readily grasp the correspondence in the relationship between the actual
object displayed as a picked-up image (or the actual operation panel or
the design drawing of the operation panel of the copying machine) and the
document (the drawing of the operation panel of the copying machine in
the document area 312).

[0148] As described above, the controller 301 controls the display 305 to
display the real view window 311 in a visible fashion or in an invisible
fashion. Accordingly, the real view window 311 can be made invisible. As
a result, the user of the PC 3 can automatically project the annotation
written in the real view window 311 on the projection area including the
object, without becoming conscious of the existence of the real view
window 311 displaying a picked-up image.

[0149] By performing calibration, the controller 301 matches the size of
the image pick-up area of the video camera 11 and the size of the display
area 310 of the display 305 with each other. The controller 101 detects
the write information written on the object or in the projection area as
an annotation, and outputs the annotation to the PC 3. With the image
pick-up area of the video camera 11 being equal to the display area 310
of the display 305 in size, the display 305 displays the write
information on the stroke drawing layer 36. Accordingly, the write
information as an annotation written directly on the object or in the
projection area can be reflected at the corresponding portion of the
display 305.

[0150] The controller 101 further extracts the difference between
consecutive images picked up by the video camera 11, and removes the
annotation from the consecutive picked-up images from the extraction
result. In this manner, the write information written on the object or in
the projection area can be detected with high precision.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

[0151] Next, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0152] In this exemplary embodiment, a document written in the document
image layer 37 is projected on a blank region on the table 15, so as not
to overlap with the object 14.

[0153] Since the information sharing support system of this exemplary
embedment has the same structure as the above-described information
sharing support system 100, explanation of the structure of the
information sharing support system of this exemplary embodiment is
omitted here.

[0154]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedures for generating the
data to be displayed in the display area 310 of the display 305.

[0155] First, the controller 301 performs calibration of the real view
window 311 (step S301). Since the calibration of the real view window 311
has already been described in the third exemplary embodiment, explanation
of the calibration is omitted here. After the calibration, the image
pick-up area of the table 15 including the object 14 (the image pick-up
area of a picked-up image) becomes equal to the display area 310 in size.

[0156] The controller 301 then obtains the coordinate information as to
the real view window 311 with respect to the picked-up image 30 (step
S302), and also obtains the information (the annotation 38a and the
subject document) written on the stroke drawing layer 36 and the document
image layer 37 outside the range of the real view window 311 (step S303).
The controller 301 transmits the information to the PC 1 via the
transmission/reception unit 302 and the network 5 (step S304). To be
specific, the information to be transmitted to the PC 1 is the data image
to be displayed in the display area 310, without the region of the real
view window 311 being omitted.

[0157] Next, the steps to be performed by the PC 1, the projector 10, and
the video camera 11 are described.

[0158] First, the controller 101 of the PC 1 performs an initialization
step, and stores in the memory 104 the identification information (such
as an ID) as to the object 14 read by the input unit 105 (step S305).
Here, the procedures in the initialization step include outputting a
control command to the projector 10 and the video camera 11, performing a
projection by the projector 10, and outputting an image picked up by the
video camera 11. The procedures in step S305 are carried out
independently of the procedures carried out on the PC 3 side.

[0159] The controller 101 then receives an input of the data image to be
displayed in the display area 310, with the region of the real view
window 311 being omitted, from the PC 3 via the network 5 and the
transmission/reception unit 102 (step S306). Once the generation of the
data starts, the controller 101 constantly receives an instruction or an
event (an operation) such as writing from the PC 2 (step S307).

[0160] The controller 101 determines whether the input of the data image
to be displayed in the display area 310 without the region of the real
view window 311 has been finished (step S308).

[0161] If the result of the determination is "YES" in step S308, the data
generating operation is ended. If the result of the determination is "NO"
in step S308, the controller 101 controls the projector 10, using the
control command and the data image to be displayed in the display area
310 without the region of the real view window 311. Accordingly, the
projector 10 projects the image on the table 15 including the object 14
(S309). The video camera 11 outputs a picked-up image of the table 15
including the object 14 on which the annotation is projected, to the
controller 301 of the PC 3 via the network 5 and the
transmission/reception unit 302. The controller 101 outputs the
identification information as to the object 14 stored in the memory 104,
to the controller 301 of the PC 3 (step S310).

[0162] The controller 301 receives the picked-up image, and updates the
display on the real view window 311 (step S311). Accordingly, the real
view window 311 displays an annotation, together with the table 15
including the object 14. The updating of the display in step S311 is
performed in a successive manner. The controller 301 also obtains the
identification information as to the object 14 from the PC 1, and stores
the identification information in the memory 304 (step S312).

[0163] As in the first exemplary embodiment, the controller 301 of this
exemplary embodiment may extract the feature points of the documents
(including characters, a drawing, or a still image) written on the
document image layer 37 and the picked-up image displayed within the real
view window 311. The controller 301 may then perform matching between the
extracted feature points, and connect matching feature points to each
other with an annotation. Here, the matching may not be performed by the
above-described method of this exemplary embodiment, but may be performed
by a known matching method such as the SIFT method.

[0164] Accordingly, the user who views the display 305 of the PC 3 can
readily grasp the correspondence in the relationship between the actual
object 14 displayed as a picked-up image and the document.

[0165] Upon receipt of a picked-up image from the video camera 11, the
controller 301 may obtain the attribute information as to the projector
10 and the video camera 11 from the PC 1, and store the attribute
information in the memory 304. Here, the attribute information includes
the information as to the projecting position and the projection range of
the projector 10, and the information as to the image picking position
and the image pick-up range of the video camera 11.

[0166] When the controller 301 stores the data to be displayed in the
display area 310 of the display 305 in the memory 304, an annotation
(including coordinate information), a picked-up image within the real
view window 311, and the main information as to the subject document are
stored in the memory 304. At the same time, the attribute information
(the positional information and range information) as to the real view
window 311, the attribute information as to the document (including the
document ID, the subject page number(s), the display range of the
document, and the display position of the document), the attribute
information as to the object (the identification information (ID) as to
the object), and the attribute information as to the projector 10 and the
video camera 11 (including the information as to the projecting position
and the projection range of the projector 10, and the information as to
the image picking position and the image pick-up range of the video
camera 11) may be associated with the main information, and be stored in
the memory 304.

[0167] With this arrangement, the controller 301 can retrieve the data to
be displayed in the display area 310 of the display 305, based on the
attribute information such as the identification information as to the
object. The controller 301 can also perform a control operation so that
the data stored in the memory 304 can be displayed in the display area
310 of the display 305.

[0168] As described above, in accordance with this exemplary embodiment,
the controller 301 matches the size of the image pick-up area of the
video camera 11 and the size of the display area 310 of the display 305
with each other. The controller 301 then transmits the annotation 38a
drawn on the stroke drawing layer 36 and the document drawn on the
document image layer 37 to the projector 10, so that the annotation 38a
and the document can be projected on the projection area, and the same
information (the annotation 38a and the document) can be displayed both
in the projection area and the display area 310 of the display 305.
Accordingly, the information can be shared between the user on the
projection area side and the user of the PC 3.

[0169] A recording medium on which the software program for realizing the
functions of the PCs 1 through 4 is recorded may be supplied to each PC,
and the CPU of each PC may read and execute the program recorded on the
recording medium. In this manner, the same effects as those of the
above-described first through fourth exemplary embodiments can be
achieved. The recording medium for providing the program may be a CD-ROM,
a DVD, or a SD card, for example.

[0170] Alternatively, the CPU of each PC may execute a software program
for realizing the functions of each PC, so as to achieve the same effects
as those of the above-described first through fourth exemplary
embodiments.

[0171] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to
those exemplary embodiments, and various modifications may be made to
them without departing from the scope of the invention.